New York man wins $33 million jackpot, despite Hurricane Sandy

RELEASE DATE: 11/29/2012

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – The New York Lottery’s Gretchen Dizer presented six new Lottery millionaires with $38,000,000 in prize checks today at the New York Lottery Customer Service Center in Garden City. The winners included the Nassau County winner of the $33,000,000 Mega Millions jackpot from the November 2 drawing.

Nassau County Resident Wins Mega Millions Lottery Prize

Philip Cimino, a floral designer from Garden City Park, said he’s still working at 67-years-old because he never thought he’d be able to retire. “One day I’m worried about paying my bills and the next day, that’s all gone,” he explained. Cimino said he picked his numbers from sales receipts he saves from various stores. “Those receipts are full of numbers,” he said. “I just pick six numbers at random and go with them.” He typically uses the same set of numbers for a couple of weeks and then, “I drag out my receipts and start all over.” He was getting ready to switch numbers when he hit the $33,000,000 Mega Millions jackpot on the November 2 drawing.

Cimino purchased the winning Mega Millions ticket at Mineola Card & Smoke on Jericho Turnpike in Mineola on his way to work the day of the drawing. He claimed his ticket on November 7 at the Lottery Customer Service Center in Garden City.

Cimino opted to receive his $33,000,000 jackpot prize in one lump sum payment with a cash value of $24,793,388. His net check will total $16,408,264. Cimino plans to use the prize to help family and friends. “I have no need for luxury things. I just want to sleep at night knowing I’ll be okay,” he said.

The New York Lottery contributed $103,332,229.34 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Nassau County during fiscal year 2011-2012.

Richmond County Man wins $1,000,000 Powerball second prize

Donald Gilbert, of Staten Island, thought he was still asleep and “must be dreaming” when he realized he had won a $1,000,000 second prize from the October 20 Powerball drawing.

Gilbert buys Mega Millions and Powerball tickets from Card Corner on Rossville Avenue in Staten Island on draw days as part of his weekly routine. Gilbert explained he always plays Quick Pick, or as he puts it, “the numbers the guys at the Lottery pick.”

Gilbert will receive his $1,000,000 prize as a one-time lump sum. His payment after required withholdings totals $623,040.

Gilbert plans to share his winnings with his son. Gilbert said his outlook on life is, “take every day and enjoy it,” so he’s excited to be able to live a little easier with his Lottery prize.

Hurricane Doesn’t Stop Loyal Bronx Player from Winning $1,000,000 Lottery PrizeIsmael Alcantara, of the Bronx, won a $1,000,000 Sweet Million top prize on the October 29 drawing. Alcantara plays Lottery games every day after work at the Value Plus on West 170th Street in the Bronx. The day he purchased his winning ticket was the first day of Hurricane Sandy, October 29. Alcantara’s work was cancelled, but he thought “today might be the day” and went to buy his Lottery tickets despite the poor weather conditions.

Alcantara did not tell anyone right away about his win. Instead, he asked his son if he wanted to take a trip to the Dominican Republic. His son got suspicious and asked what was going on. Alcantara then revealed his $1,000,000 lottery win.

The $1,000,000 Sweet Million top prize is paid as a one-time lump sum. Alcantara will receive a net check totaling $623,040 after required withholdings. He plans to get a nice place to live and then share the rest of his winnings with his children.

Brooklyn Man Wins the Last Top Prize on the Golden Opportunity Scratch-off GameMahmoud Shloul, of Brooklyn, won the last top $1,000,000 prize on the New York Lottery’s Golden Opportunity scratch-off game. Shloul purchased his winning ticket on October 27 at T&L Luncheonette on Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn. Shloul said he always goes to the same retailer to purchase his tickets. He scratched his ticket in the store and scanned it to verify it was a winner. He immediately went home and locked the ticket in his safe until he could claim it at the Lottery’s Customer Service Center in Fishkill November 5.

The $1,000,000 top prize on the Golden Opportunity game is paid as $50,000 a year for 20 years. Shloul will receive an annual check totaling $31,152 after required withholdings. Shloul plans to use his winnings to pay some bills and invest the rest for the future.

Quick Stop Wins Bronx Woman $1,000,000 Lottery PrizeJeanette Ramos, of the Bronx, won a $1,000,000 Powerball second prize from the November 3 drawing. Ramos said that she plays draw games whenever the jackpots are high. The day she purchased her winning ticket, November 2, Ramos was on her way to the library when she remembered she needed a few things from the store. Ramos decided to “take a chance” and purchased one Quick Pick for the next day’s Powerball drawing.

Ramos said her heart started beating fast when she checked her ticket, but she did not want to draw attention to herself by celebrating in the store. Ramos casually asked the clerk for a print out of the Powerball winning numbers and walked out. Outside of the store, she compared her numbers with the print out and realized she had won $1,000,000.

Ramos will receive her $1,000,000 prize as a one-time lump sum. Her payment after required withholdings totals $623,040. Ramos said she has always dreamed of going on a cruise in the Mediterranean and “now it’s possible” thanks to her bi